Actors in Government

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Ronald Reagan: The most successful actor-turned-politician in American history began his acting career in 1937, eventually starring in 64 films. He was elected President of the United States of America in 1980, and again in 1984.Bob Galbraith/AP/File

Arnold Schwarzenneger: The Austrian bodybuilder and actor won the title of Mr. Universe at age 20 before moving to the US. After a string of successful action movies, Schwarzenneger became one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He served as governor of California from 2003-2011.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters/File

Al Franken: As a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, Franken won three Emmy Awards. He would later enjoy success as a writer and radio host. Franken won his bid for US Senator from Minnesota in 2008. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP/File

Clint Eastwood: Eastwood has enjoyed a long career in Hollywood, contributing to over 50 films as a director, actor, producer, and composer. In 2005 he became one of only three living directors to have made two Academy Award for Best Picture winners. Eastwood served as the nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, from 1986 to 1988.Cliff Owen/AP/File

Jerry Springer: Although best known for his work as the host of the often-racy daytime talk show 'The Jerry Springer Show,' Gerald Norman Springer served as the Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio from 1977-1978.Fred Jewell/AP/File

Fred Thompson: Thompson served on the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973, a special committee convened to investigate the Watergate scandal. Thompson's acting debut came in 1985 in a film about Watergate, 'Marie,' in which he played himself. Thompson was elected as a US Senator from Tennessee in 1994, has appeared on 'Law & Order' as D.A. Arthur Branch, and run an unsuccessful campaign for president in 2008.Mary Knox Merrill/The Christian Science Monitor/File

Jesse Ventura: James George Janos was a prominent professional wrester in the 1970s and 80s, known as Jesse 'The Body' Ventura. He was elected mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn. in 1990, and became governor of Minnesota in 1998.Andy Nelson/The Christian Science Monitor/File

Shirley Temple: The popular child star began her career at the age of three in 1932, and was the top box-office draw for four years in a row, from 1935-1938. In 1967, Temple ran for Congress in California, but lost to Republican Pete McCloskey. She was later appointed to the UN General Assembly by Richard Nixon. She would become the first female Chief of Protocol of the United States and US Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.AP/File

Kal Penn: Best known for his role as Kumar Patel in the 'Harold and Kumar' series of films and his role as Dr. Kutner on the series 'House,' Penn (r.) has served on and off as President Obama's Associate Director of Office of Public Engagement since 2009, taking breaks to pursue his acting career. Darren Michaels/Warner Bros. Pictures/AP/File

Sonny Bono: After a long career in the entertainment industry that included hit records, a popular variety show, and acting roles in television and film, Bono was elected as mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., and later as a US Congressman from California.Reuters/File

Jack Kelly: The star of 'Maverick,' which ran on ABC in the 1950s and 60s became mayor of Huntington Beach, Calif. for three years in the 1980s.

John Davis Lodge: The 79th Governor of Connecticut, John Davis Lodge, began his career in the 1930s, starring in several Hollywood films.

George Murphy: The star of several Hollywood song-and-dance musicals, Murphy would go on to become a US Senator from California, one of the first actors to make the transition from entertainment to national politics.

Kim Kardashian arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif. in February 2012. Will Kardashian run for mayor of Glenndale, Calif.?(AP Photo/Vince Bucci/file)

President Obama was pretty funny at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night. But late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the real funny man, targeting just about every class of Washington celebrity.